The city of Hercules, California, was originally built up around the California Powder Works plant. The city was named after the company's most successful product, Hercules dynamite. You can expect to have a blast here, and not the explosive kind.
As part of the San Francisco Bay Area, you can expect a great quality of life in Hercules, California
The city of Hercules, California, was originally built up around the California Powder Works plant. The city was named after the company's most successful product, Hercules dynamite. You can expect to have a blast here, and not the explosive kind.
As part of the San Francisco Bay Area, you can expect a great quality of life in Hercules, California. If the gorgeous weather isn't enough for you, you'll always be able to find something to entertain yourself, from joining the historical society to strolling in one of the city's 11 stunning parks. Anyone who wants a greater choice of amenities may be pleased to know the city's only around 10 miles away from the center of Berkeley, California.
Renting in Hercules
If you're looking for an apartment or house to rent in Hercules, it may take you a little while to find the ideal property. The city is above the national average for owner-occupied homes, meaning there isn't a large amount of rental homes available. However, you shouldn't fret; just make sure you allow yourself six to eight weeks to search for your new home. Once you've found your home sweet home, you'll need to show your landlord some basic documentation before you'll be allowed to move in. While the exact paperwork you'll need may vary, as a rule of thumb, you'll need your credit history, rental history, proof of income, references and photo ID. The exact cost of moving depends on the property you choose (of course it will cost you less to move into a studio apartment than a four-bedroom house), but you can expect to pay a month of rent right off the bat, plus a security deposit.
Hercules Neighborhoods
All the neighborhoods in Hercules have different vibes, so it's important to have a look around and find one you love. They also vary in the types of properties available and nearby facilities.
Hercules by the Bay: If you love the water, this might be a good neighborhood for you. It's located in the picturesque region by the San Pablo Bay. You'll find a good mixture of both houses and apartments to rent in this neighborhood.
The Astronauts: This area contains mostly houses, both large and on the smaller side. It's a little way out from the center of town and the majority of amenities, but there's lots of green space.
Village Park: While this is mostly a residential neighborhood, it's conveniently located close to most of Hercules' shops and restaurants.
Gem Stones: You'll find a range of properties in this neighborhood, both houses and apartments. It's a fairly walkable area, but some parts are a little way away from many of Hercules' amenities.
Life in Hercules
Although Hercules isn't exactly a bustling metropolis, there's still plenty for its residents to do. There's some amazing parkland in the city, some of which is left in a natural, wilderness-like state, and some of which has some great recreational facilities. For instance, Hanna Ranch Park has a BBQ pit, ball field and soccer pitch, and Duck Pond Park has horseshoe pits, walking trails and bocce ball courts. Anyone who likes to get into the community spirit might enjoy getting involved with some of the many town events that take place throughout the year, such as the City-Wide Garage Sale or the Annual Tree Lighting Event. There are all kinds of shops, from small independent retailers to big brands. However, if you prefer an al fresco shopping experience, you can check out the Saturday farmers market that takes place on the corner of Sycamore and San Pablo Avenue between May and October each year. If eating out is your thing, there are a number of top quality eateries in the city. Try Shinsen Sushi for some tasty Japanese food or Biryani House for some of the best curries in town. While Hercules isn't a huge town, many of its residents drive to get around and to visit neighboring areas. However, there are some public transit options to get yourself from A to B if you're feeling too lazy to get behind the wheel.